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Runs in the Family: An Incredible True Story of Football, Fatherhood, and Belonging
A revelatory examination of the choices we make as parents and children, told through the eyes of a Black man on a journey to find his biological family and discover where and to whom he truly belongs. Based on Sarah Spain’s viral ESPN article.
Football coach and father of four Deland McCullough’s world was forever changed when his adoption records were unsealed, revealing a hidden past that would profoundly shape his understanding of himself and his family. The journey that ensued uncovered a surprising his biological father had unknowingly been a key figure in his life for three decades. Deland’s journey of self-discovery and the search for his identity were transformative experiences, deeply impacting his future by shedding light on his past.
In 1972, sixteen-year-old Carol Briggs gave birth to Jon Kenneth Briggs during a snowstorm in Pittsburgh and decided to place him for adoption, hoping he would land in a stable two-parent household. Adopted by a well-known Youngstown, Ohio, radio DJ and his wife, Jon was renamed Deland McCullough. Deland’s childhood was disrupted by his adoptive parents’ turbulent divorce and his mother’s subsequent abusive relationships. In the midst of this chaos, he learned of his adoption and found football as a sanctuary, providing him with a sense of belonging and mentorship.
Deland’s passion for football propelled him into a professional career and later into coaching. When he became a father, his desire to uncover his origins intensified. He was tired of not being able to fill out a family medical history form and he decided to do something about it. What ensued was an unraveling of identity, an examination of family in all of its forms, and an exploration of all the ways we inherit, learn, and disrupt generational trauma.
Based on Emmy and Peabody Award–winning sports journalist Sarah Spain’s viral article for ESPN, Runs in the Family is a staggering portrayal of parenthood—the choices we make, the sacrifices we endure, and the intentional nurturing that shapes us and our loved ones. It is a heartrending story that testifies to the profound impact of family, identity, and the enduring bonds formed through both blood and mentorship.
Football coach and father of four Deland McCullough’s world was forever changed when his adoption records were unsealed, revealing a hidden past that would profoundly shape his understanding of himself and his family. The journey that ensued uncovered a surprising his biological father had unknowingly been a key figure in his life for three decades. Deland’s journey of self-discovery and the search for his identity were transformative experiences, deeply impacting his future by shedding light on his past.
In 1972, sixteen-year-old Carol Briggs gave birth to Jon Kenneth Briggs during a snowstorm in Pittsburgh and decided to place him for adoption, hoping he would land in a stable two-parent household. Adopted by a well-known Youngstown, Ohio, radio DJ and his wife, Jon was renamed Deland McCullough. Deland’s childhood was disrupted by his adoptive parents’ turbulent divorce and his mother’s subsequent abusive relationships. In the midst of this chaos, he learned of his adoption and found football as a sanctuary, providing him with a sense of belonging and mentorship.
Deland’s passion for football propelled him into a professional career and later into coaching. When he became a father, his desire to uncover his origins intensified. He was tired of not being able to fill out a family medical history form and he decided to do something about it. What ensued was an unraveling of identity, an examination of family in all of its forms, and an exploration of all the ways we inherit, learn, and disrupt generational trauma.
Based on Emmy and Peabody Award–winning sports journalist Sarah Spain’s viral article for ESPN, Runs in the Family is a staggering portrayal of parenthood—the choices we make, the sacrifices we endure, and the intentional nurturing that shapes us and our loved ones. It is a heartrending story that testifies to the profound impact of family, identity, and the enduring bonds formed through both blood and mentorship.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published June 3, 2025
33 people are currently reading
2444 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 17, 2025
Holy cow this book. I listen to Sarah Spain every day anyway (Good Game with Sarah Spain podcast), so I couldn't get away from the promo of this book. It's quick, wild story that reads like it's made up. Spain tells McCullough's story with such care and even though I knew how it ended (podcast spoilers), I was still on the edge of my seat.
August 3, 2025
Easily one of the best books that I’ve read in a while. If you have a soul, pick this book up and read it ASAP. Football is an aspect of this story but there’s way more important issues that are discussed in this novel. Generational trauma, adoption, a lot of issues that plague black people with regard to mental health amongst other issues.
Deland’s story is amazing on many levels. This dude did incredible things to end trends in his life while also becoming everything that he lacked in his youth to better the lives of himself and others as an adult. There’s a HUGE ASS PLOT TWIST that I will not spoil and that twist left me saying to myself...holy shit, no fucking way. This deserves way more than five stars. Shout out to Sarah Spain for the care that went into putting together this masterpiece. Long live The Commish!
Deland’s story is amazing on many levels. This dude did incredible things to end trends in his life while also becoming everything that he lacked in his youth to better the lives of himself and others as an adult. There’s a HUGE ASS PLOT TWIST that I will not spoil and that twist left me saying to myself...holy shit, no fucking way. This deserves way more than five stars. Shout out to Sarah Spain for the care that went into putting together this masterpiece. Long live The Commish!
August 7, 2025
This is a deeply personal memoir that explores identity, loss, and the unexpected connections that shape us. Deland McCullough, a man whose life has been defined by football and fatherhood, pulls back the curtain on his early years as an adopted child with unanswered questions about where he came from. As he climbs the ranks of athletic success—first as a player, then as a coach—he carries a silent longing to know the truth about his origins. Years later, that search leads to a revelation so intimate and profound it redefines not just who he is, but how he understands love, legacy, and belonging. The story that unfolds is less about DNA and more about the power of emotional lineage—about the mentors, sons, and choices that shape a man’s life.
What makes this memoir stand out is its emotional honesty. Deland doesn't sugarcoat the ache of not knowing where he came from, nor does he portray his eventual discovery as a tidy resolution. Instead, he walks us through the complicated layers of reunion, healing, and what it means to be both a son and a father. His voice is clear, grounded, and reflective, offering moments of vulnerability that hit just as hard as the physical demands of his football career. This isn’t a story about sports—it’s a story about identity, forgiveness, and the kind of love that shows up in both expected and unexpected ways. Runs in the Family left me thinking not just about who we’re born to, but who we choose to be in the lives of others.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...
What makes this memoir stand out is its emotional honesty. Deland doesn't sugarcoat the ache of not knowing where he came from, nor does he portray his eventual discovery as a tidy resolution. Instead, he walks us through the complicated layers of reunion, healing, and what it means to be both a son and a father. His voice is clear, grounded, and reflective, offering moments of vulnerability that hit just as hard as the physical demands of his football career. This isn’t a story about sports—it’s a story about identity, forgiveness, and the kind of love that shows up in both expected and unexpected ways. Runs in the Family left me thinking not just about who we’re born to, but who we choose to be in the lives of others.
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://shows.acast.com/moms-dont-hav...
August 23, 2025
Extremely interesting story, but written with way too much detail. The most critical part of the story happened on page 225 of a 304 page book. I almost gave up before getting there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2025
Summary: An adopted child in difficult circumstances rises to coach in the NFL before finding his biological parents.
The couple had just lost a child. The father was a popular DJ in the town’s rock and roll station, the first Black DJ. The mother, Adelle, was a strong woman with an accounting background. They were popular and their house was a favorite party location on the East side of Youngstown. In March of 1973, they found a Black child in an orphanage in Pittsburgh. The adoption was easily approved and he was named Deland Scott McCullough.
Sadly the marriage did not last long. Adelle, Deland and his older brother Damon were on their own. The next years were harrowing as Adelle sometimes resorted to drug dealing to keep the family afloat and got involved in a string of abusive relationships with men. Growing up in those circumstances with the high crime rates of early 1980’s Youngstown, it did not look promising for Deland. But Adelle was determined to raise them right. Eventually, she cleans up her life. Damon sticks close to him as does an uncle. And Deland discovers a talent for football, working harder than other teammates at Campbell Memorial. Never a good student, he works hard to pass college entrance exams.
He led his team to winning seasons. Then Sherman Smith came into his life. Smith was the running backs coach for Miami University. He formerly played in the NFL. And he got his start at Youngstown’s North High School. He saw past the family’s impoverished circumstances and McCullough’s potential to the kind of young man he was coming, someone he hoped to mentor. McCullough accepted the scholarship offer, going on to have an outstanding four years, setting rushing records. He was frequently at the Smiths, watching their family and soaking up life advice.
He went on to a brief professional career, ended by injuries, worked at a juvenile center where he met Darnell, who he would marry, and at a charter school. Then the opportunity to coach at his alma mater came along. He sought Sherman Smith’s advice. By then, Smith was an NFL coach. Eventually, he took a position at Indiana, and had the opportunity to do a coaching internship under Smith. Others remarked how alike they were in coaching philosophies, and even mannerisms and the way they walked. Clearly, Smith met a need for a father as well as a mentor for Deland. Ultimately, Deland made it to the NFL as a running backs coach.
But not knowing his parentage troubled him. The book explores the reasons why adoption records were sealed and the struggle many adoptees had with not knowing their birth parents. Furthermore, both Deland’s birth and adoptive father abandoned him. He struggled to understand things about himself, why he reacted as he did at times. But slowly things changed. Eventually, Pennsylvania opened up birth records for adoptees. The day came when he received his birth certificate. His mother was a sixteen year old girl, Carol Briggs. He had been born Jon Kenneth Briggs. But no father name was on the birth certificate.
I will not say more about how the story unfolded except that it was amazing and transformative not only for Deland but for his birth parents. It was also difficult for Adelle and it meant both redefining the relationship on adult terms and reassuring her that no one had more influence in Deland’s life. She was always his only “Ma.”
The book is powerful at several levels. One is Deland’s success in life, in sports and marriage. He became the father he didn’t have. A second is the powerful exploration in this book of the longing for belonging and identity of adoptees. Finally, the resolution was one of those “beyond your wildest dreams” endings. Finding one’s biological parents doesn’t always work like this. But it warms your heart when it does.
The couple had just lost a child. The father was a popular DJ in the town’s rock and roll station, the first Black DJ. The mother, Adelle, was a strong woman with an accounting background. They were popular and their house was a favorite party location on the East side of Youngstown. In March of 1973, they found a Black child in an orphanage in Pittsburgh. The adoption was easily approved and he was named Deland Scott McCullough.
Sadly the marriage did not last long. Adelle, Deland and his older brother Damon were on their own. The next years were harrowing as Adelle sometimes resorted to drug dealing to keep the family afloat and got involved in a string of abusive relationships with men. Growing up in those circumstances with the high crime rates of early 1980’s Youngstown, it did not look promising for Deland. But Adelle was determined to raise them right. Eventually, she cleans up her life. Damon sticks close to him as does an uncle. And Deland discovers a talent for football, working harder than other teammates at Campbell Memorial. Never a good student, he works hard to pass college entrance exams.
He led his team to winning seasons. Then Sherman Smith came into his life. Smith was the running backs coach for Miami University. He formerly played in the NFL. And he got his start at Youngstown’s North High School. He saw past the family’s impoverished circumstances and McCullough’s potential to the kind of young man he was coming, someone he hoped to mentor. McCullough accepted the scholarship offer, going on to have an outstanding four years, setting rushing records. He was frequently at the Smiths, watching their family and soaking up life advice.
He went on to a brief professional career, ended by injuries, worked at a juvenile center where he met Darnell, who he would marry, and at a charter school. Then the opportunity to coach at his alma mater came along. He sought Sherman Smith’s advice. By then, Smith was an NFL coach. Eventually, he took a position at Indiana, and had the opportunity to do a coaching internship under Smith. Others remarked how alike they were in coaching philosophies, and even mannerisms and the way they walked. Clearly, Smith met a need for a father as well as a mentor for Deland. Ultimately, Deland made it to the NFL as a running backs coach.
But not knowing his parentage troubled him. The book explores the reasons why adoption records were sealed and the struggle many adoptees had with not knowing their birth parents. Furthermore, both Deland’s birth and adoptive father abandoned him. He struggled to understand things about himself, why he reacted as he did at times. But slowly things changed. Eventually, Pennsylvania opened up birth records for adoptees. The day came when he received his birth certificate. His mother was a sixteen year old girl, Carol Briggs. He had been born Jon Kenneth Briggs. But no father name was on the birth certificate.
I will not say more about how the story unfolded except that it was amazing and transformative not only for Deland but for his birth parents. It was also difficult for Adelle and it meant both redefining the relationship on adult terms and reassuring her that no one had more influence in Deland’s life. She was always his only “Ma.”
The book is powerful at several levels. One is Deland’s success in life, in sports and marriage. He became the father he didn’t have. A second is the powerful exploration in this book of the longing for belonging and identity of adoptees. Finally, the resolution was one of those “beyond your wildest dreams” endings. Finding one’s biological parents doesn’t always work like this. But it warms your heart when it does.
June 27, 2025
Book Review: Runs in the Family: An Incredible True Story of Football, Fatherhood, and Belonging by Sarah Spain and Deland McCullough
Runs in the Family is a profoundly moving exploration of identity, resilience, and the complex tapestry of family bonds, told through the dual lenses of sports journalism and personal memoir. As a woman and scholar of intersectional narratives, I was struck by how Deland McCullough’s journey—from an adoptee grappling with fractured identity to a celebrated NFL coach—transcends the typical sports biography, offering instead a meditation on how systemic forces shape Black masculinity, fatherhood, and belonging. Sarah Spain’s journalistic rigor and McCullough’s raw introspection create a narrative that is as intellectually compelling as it is emotionally devastating.
The book’s greatest strength lies in its unflinching examination of generational trauma and chosen family. McCullough’s search for his biological roots, sparked by a need to understand his medical history, unfolds into a poignant reckoning with adoption’s emotional legacy. His adoptive mother’s abusive relationships and his father-figures in football (both flawed and transformative) reveal how mentorship can both heal and replicate cycles of harm. As a reader, I found myself reflecting on how institutions like sports—often framed as meritocratic—can become sites of salvation for marginalized youth, yet also demand performative toughness that masks vulnerability. The sections detailing McCullough’s coaching philosophy, which emphasizes emotional openness, felt like a radical subversion of toxic athletic culture.
However, the book occasionally struggles with narrative balance. While McCullough’s story is undeniably powerful, Spain’s journalistic voice sometimes overshadows Carol Briggs’ perspective (Deland’s birth mother), leaving her emotional journey underexplored. A deeper interrogation of how race, class, and gender intersected in Briggs’ decision to relinquish her son could have enriched the systemic critique. Additionally, the pacing wavers in later chapters, where the focus on football achievements risks eclipsing the more universal themes of identity reconciliation.
Strengths:
-Intersectional Depth: Masterfully intertwines adoption trauma, Black masculinity, and sports sociology.
-Emotional Resonance: McCullough’s vulnerability about fatherhood (“Am I repeating cycles?”) is breathtaking.
-Structural Critique: Exposes how systemic failures in child welfare and racial inequity shape personal narratives.
Critiques:
-Gendered Gaps: Carol Briggs’ voice warrants fuller integration to avoid reducing her to a plot device.
-Pacing Issues: Football-centric sections could be more tightly linked to the central themes of identity and healing.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) – A transformative work that redefines sports memoir as a vehicle for social commentary, though its silences on birth maternal trauma hold it back from perfection.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss for providing a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Final Thought: This book is more than a reunion story—it’s a mirror held up to America’s contradictions about race, family, and resilience. By centering love (biological and chosen) as an act of rebellion, Runs in the Family challenges us to rethink what it means to belong.
Runs in the Family is a profoundly moving exploration of identity, resilience, and the complex tapestry of family bonds, told through the dual lenses of sports journalism and personal memoir. As a woman and scholar of intersectional narratives, I was struck by how Deland McCullough’s journey—from an adoptee grappling with fractured identity to a celebrated NFL coach—transcends the typical sports biography, offering instead a meditation on how systemic forces shape Black masculinity, fatherhood, and belonging. Sarah Spain’s journalistic rigor and McCullough’s raw introspection create a narrative that is as intellectually compelling as it is emotionally devastating.
The book’s greatest strength lies in its unflinching examination of generational trauma and chosen family. McCullough’s search for his biological roots, sparked by a need to understand his medical history, unfolds into a poignant reckoning with adoption’s emotional legacy. His adoptive mother’s abusive relationships and his father-figures in football (both flawed and transformative) reveal how mentorship can both heal and replicate cycles of harm. As a reader, I found myself reflecting on how institutions like sports—often framed as meritocratic—can become sites of salvation for marginalized youth, yet also demand performative toughness that masks vulnerability. The sections detailing McCullough’s coaching philosophy, which emphasizes emotional openness, felt like a radical subversion of toxic athletic culture.
However, the book occasionally struggles with narrative balance. While McCullough’s story is undeniably powerful, Spain’s journalistic voice sometimes overshadows Carol Briggs’ perspective (Deland’s birth mother), leaving her emotional journey underexplored. A deeper interrogation of how race, class, and gender intersected in Briggs’ decision to relinquish her son could have enriched the systemic critique. Additionally, the pacing wavers in later chapters, where the focus on football achievements risks eclipsing the more universal themes of identity reconciliation.
Strengths:
-Intersectional Depth: Masterfully intertwines adoption trauma, Black masculinity, and sports sociology.
-Emotional Resonance: McCullough’s vulnerability about fatherhood (“Am I repeating cycles?”) is breathtaking.
-Structural Critique: Exposes how systemic failures in child welfare and racial inequity shape personal narratives.
Critiques:
-Gendered Gaps: Carol Briggs’ voice warrants fuller integration to avoid reducing her to a plot device.
-Pacing Issues: Football-centric sections could be more tightly linked to the central themes of identity and healing.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) – A transformative work that redefines sports memoir as a vehicle for social commentary, though its silences on birth maternal trauma hold it back from perfection.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss for providing a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Final Thought: This book is more than a reunion story—it’s a mirror held up to America’s contradictions about race, family, and resilience. By centering love (biological and chosen) as an act of rebellion, Runs in the Family challenges us to rethink what it means to belong.
June 15, 2025
No spoilers. Apropos to finish this book over Father’s Day Weekend; Best wishes to all celebrating or remembering.
Thank you to Deland McCullough for sharing his story and @sarahspain.com for the wonderful telling.
This is the TRUE story of Deland and his life growing up with his adoptive single mother, Adele, after quickly being abandoned by his adoptive father. Dodging all the pitfalls of poverty and finding security and purpose in sports. As an adoptive father of two kids, I was intrigued by the science of adoptive family dynamics that Sarah peppers the thru the first third of the book. Also the psychology of poverty, a single-mother home, and the deindustrialization of the town as steel mills closed and the economy collapsed. This is the story of how Deland beat the odds and grew up with strong faith and ethics buoyed by his Mom and brother, and a cast of ‘father figures’ who guided him and straightened his path when he strayed. Boiled down, this is story of faith and love.
It’s also the search for the missing pieces in his life…his birth parents.
Won’t spoil the end—had tears in my eyes anyway for the last few chapters, so I’d be an unreliable source.
Well written by Sarah Spain with informative asides about the psychological pressures this family struggled to overcome. Highly recommend grabbing a box of tissues and enjoying this journey of discovery.
Thank you to Deland McCullough for sharing his story and @sarahspain.com for the wonderful telling.
This is the TRUE story of Deland and his life growing up with his adoptive single mother, Adele, after quickly being abandoned by his adoptive father. Dodging all the pitfalls of poverty and finding security and purpose in sports. As an adoptive father of two kids, I was intrigued by the science of adoptive family dynamics that Sarah peppers the thru the first third of the book. Also the psychology of poverty, a single-mother home, and the deindustrialization of the town as steel mills closed and the economy collapsed. This is the story of how Deland beat the odds and grew up with strong faith and ethics buoyed by his Mom and brother, and a cast of ‘father figures’ who guided him and straightened his path when he strayed. Boiled down, this is story of faith and love.
It’s also the search for the missing pieces in his life…his birth parents.
Won’t spoil the end—had tears in my eyes anyway for the last few chapters, so I’d be an unreliable source.
Well written by Sarah Spain with informative asides about the psychological pressures this family struggled to overcome. Highly recommend grabbing a box of tissues and enjoying this journey of discovery.
July 23, 2025
I've been a fan of Sarah Spain for a long time, via her writing and TV work at ESPN and most recently via her daily women's sports podcast, Good Game. And I loved the essay she wrote about Deland McCullough that was the genesis of this book, but for some reason I didn't pick up this book right as it was released, perhaps because I felt like I already knew the story.
Anyway, got around to reading it last week, and it really is great, even if you know the surprise reveal, and even if you've already read the ESPN.com essay. Spain does a great job of weaving in some reasearch about adoption, family dynamics, and trauma without bogging down the book. She humanizes all the main characters without giving them too much of a pass--in particular, I think Spain's treatment of McCullough's adopted mother is really balanced and delicate. And of course the underlying story--of a man who, after being adopted as a child, forms a relationship in adulthood with his birth father without either of them realizing it--is at the same time heartbreaking and heartwarming, not to mention fascinating.
A pretty quick read, but with some meat on it. Recommended.
Anyway, got around to reading it last week, and it really is great, even if you know the surprise reveal, and even if you've already read the ESPN.com essay. Spain does a great job of weaving in some reasearch about adoption, family dynamics, and trauma without bogging down the book. She humanizes all the main characters without giving them too much of a pass--in particular, I think Spain's treatment of McCullough's adopted mother is really balanced and delicate. And of course the underlying story--of a man who, after being adopted as a child, forms a relationship in adulthood with his birth father without either of them realizing it--is at the same time heartbreaking and heartwarming, not to mention fascinating.
A pretty quick read, but with some meat on it. Recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2025
I’m not a big football fan so I was not immediately drawn to this story but it is more than a worthwhile read for anyone.
It reads much like Deland’s life story. The first part is slow, difficult to get through, and also necessary and important to understanding the rest of his story. The back half is filled with the payoff of resilience, persistence, and a need that exists in all of us to feel whole and to belong. Even though the payoff was predictable within the book’s structure and flow, the level of shared cathartic release is palpable. I cried for the last 100 or so pages imagining how everyone felt.
This is a story shared with love and compassion. I have a huge place in my heart for Adelle and Damon.
It reads much like Deland’s life story. The first part is slow, difficult to get through, and also necessary and important to understanding the rest of his story. The back half is filled with the payoff of resilience, persistence, and a need that exists in all of us to feel whole and to belong. Even though the payoff was predictable within the book’s structure and flow, the level of shared cathartic release is palpable. I cried for the last 100 or so pages imagining how everyone felt.
This is a story shared with love and compassion. I have a huge place in my heart for Adelle and Damon.
August 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, I am so glad I won it in a Goodreads giveaway! I love stories about sports figures and their careers. This was was especially intriguing. Deland was adopted as a baby and the story goes on about his life and all the people he encounters during it. He is a celebrated football figure, both as a player and a coach. A RB coach for the Chief's
Eagles, and Bengals where he also played RB. He is currently the RB coach for the Raiders. But what makes his story so interesting is that he never knew who his father was, and when he did find him, that was what makes the whole story of his life and why he is who he is. I loved the story. Just goes to show you never know until you know!
Eagles, and Bengals where he also played RB. He is currently the RB coach for the Raiders. But what makes his story so interesting is that he never knew who his father was, and when he did find him, that was what makes the whole story of his life and why he is who he is. I loved the story. Just goes to show you never know until you know!
November 27, 2025
3.5 rounded up. My interest was piqued after hearing about this book on a morning news show. It is a very interesting memoir that centers around adoption, generational abuse, and rising above the odds. Deland McCullough was adopted as a baby and becomes a celebrated football figure both as a player and a coach. His life and his understanding of it were forever changed when later in life, his adoption papers were unsealed, and the knowledge and introduction to his biological parents gave him a better understanding of himself. Love and acceptance shine through as his family grows. The last third of the book makes up for the sometimes tedious wait. A moving story with many inspirational quotes. “Grace is getting what you don’t deserve, and mercy is not getting what you do deserve.”
June 21, 2025
If I could give a 10/5 rating, I would! Sarah and Deland did an amazing job of telling Deland’s journey with his family and life. Most importantly, how his life and family grew upon learning who his biological parents are. I loved the compassion with which Sarah helped Delano tell his story. As someone who’s learned about and worked with kids who face trauma, generational trauma and emotional challenges, I appreciated the time Sarah spent in the story explaining how this fit into Deland’s makeup.
November 4, 2025
I had the privilege to hear Sherman Smith speak at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes event. He blew me away. His calm, natural demeanor met with his passion for witnessing to others about God’s divine love and care to inspire me to become more active in my own mission to share the love of Christ with others. He challenged us in love. I didn’t know this story then. Hearing how God has carried Deland McCollough throughout his life and brought these two men of faith together and to the public as a witness brought tears to my eyes. What a story!
June 21, 2025
This book adds onto the original longform written story and reporting in ESPN in ways I never imagined. I was hooked on the story, but educated by the tidbits that went into explaining why Deland McCullough’s life took the turns that it did. The book does the incredible job of answering the question of “nature vs. nurture” and, spoiler it’s always both.
This is a book about family and what they pass onto you AND what you choose to take with you to the next generation. HIGHLY recommend.
This is a book about family and what they pass onto you AND what you choose to take with you to the next generation. HIGHLY recommend.
July 8, 2025
This is an incredible story. There are certain times when you can see God's hand in this world and this story is one of those times. There are certain moments were divine intervention changes DeLand's path. He puts the right people in his path at the right time. His life was far from easy but God was there. IU don't want to spoil much but because I think the story is more powerful going blind. But this is a story of finding where you belong in life. Can't recommend enough.
July 17, 2025
4.5 stars to this true story about family, adoption, generational abuse, and rising above it all. Football coach and father of four Deland McCullough’s world was forever changed when his adoption records were unsealed, revealing a hidden past that would profoundly shape his understanding of himself and his family. So many in this story had giant hearts that opened to allow more people inside - very inspiring.
November 24, 2025
I rate this book a 5/5 because I really enjoyed the story line and the overall pacing of the book. It stayed interesting throughout the entirety of the book and it was hard to truly know what was happening next. This happens especially in the middle of the book when he had all of his great workouts for the teams but ultimately had to work harder than ever to make his roster spot. It kept it engaging and interesting and it really brought the book to life.
May 22, 2025
This was such a good story, heartbreaking and heartwarming. A young man learns he was adopted and kept feeling like something was missing. He searched for years to find his biological parents and the results were stunning. So well written. Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways and Simon Element for the ARC.
August 14, 2025
Wow…what a great read! I was captivated from start to finish. Deland’s personal and professional journey is nothing short of inspiring, and the strength he’s shown in overcoming so much is remarkable. By the last half, I found myself crying tears of joy and feeling so deeply moved. Highly recommend!
June 16, 2025
It's fun to give an author you know, 5 stars on her first book! Amazing to hear the full story of Deland's life after having a taste of the story from Spain's E60 interview years ago. I always love my audio books when the authors narrate them.
July 3, 2025
This story is pretty remarkable. You don’t have to know anything about sports to get it. I appreciate Deland sharing his sticky family dynamics, personal connections and ultimate grace in the reflection of his life. I really loved it.
September 26, 2025
I rarely read memoirs but I’m such a fan of Sarah Spain (Good Game and before that at ESPN) that I gave this one a try. Even though I totally guessed the surprise from the beginning, it still was so so touching by the end. Great writing and an amazing story kept me engaged the whole way through
September 30, 2025
Really enjoyed reading this book as I was adopted and found my birth families. The parts about the mannerisms and ways you talk and walk hit spot on. I had heard the interview on PTFO and knew I had to read.
May 24, 2025
Stunning and beautiful. Bring Kleenex.
May 31, 2025
i won this book i iy was neet to read he had a bad child hood.he did play foot after all.
June 5, 2025
Absolutely beautiful. A stunning, deeply moving book. You will cry — and will love every minute of it.
June 22, 2025
Uplifting. Deland was adopted as an infant. As an adult he looks for his biological parents.
June 23, 2025
Heart breaking but triumphant.
July 4, 2025
“It isn’t always perfect and it isn’t always easy, but isn’t that life?” What a beautiful story 😮💨💙💚
August 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It’s most likely not something I would have picked up to read but a friend in my book club has a connection to Deland and I found his story deeply compelling.
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